Re: [Leica] newby / Black Tape

[Alan Ball <AlanBall@csi.com>]

Jim and Joseph,

I tape my black M6 and do not feel it is crap. When I wear dark clothes,
the camera becomes near invisible. An invisible camera is more discreet
than a visible camera. The red dot and white markings attract attention
on the fact that there is a camera dangling on the t-shirt, not because
they say 'Leica' but because they are bright red and white. 

Regarding the anti-theft idea: in a crowd, it is true a hungry thief
will choose anything he believes he can resell. But it seems logical to
think he'll concentrate first on the flashier equipment: big bags, well
known camera brands, Rolex-like watches, etc. I travel quite often and
usually not sheltered by tourist groups or high end hotels. I feel much
more relaxed with my small M equipment in the crowded buses of
Casablanca for example than with the N AF setup I had carried through
that town before. 

I believe that this is not a "false sense of security" even though it is
generally quite obvious I am not a local.

I also avoid the gear bags altogether. When I want all my M equipment (4
lenses + polarizer + film) on me, I use a cheap dark blue nylon
ultralight photo anorak, with dark blue zippers: as long as you do not
rub yourself against me, nothing indicates that there are valuables in
there. I also dress very cheaply and do not wear any branded accessories
(watches, sneakers, polo shirts, shades, etc). 

To tape the brand logos seems to me to be coherent with this whole
pattern of behaviour. Since I do this very crudely, my M6, when visible,
looks quite unattractive. I am positive I do not look like "first
choice" for any greedy would-be thief and gladly leave that role to
others.

Now, I wonder why this kind of thread always relates to 'foreign
countries': your own neighbourhood and home town are probably just as
dangerous regarding theft and burglary than most of the usual travel
destinations. I behave the same way in Brussels as I do in Tashkent or
Tbilissi. Brussels is the only place I ever got mugged....

Friendly regards
Alan
Brussels-Belgium


Jim Brick wrote:
> 
> Joseph... you are 100% correct. The black tape crap, and red dot crap, to
> deter theft, is just that. Crap.
> 
> Thanks for stating it concisely,
> 
> Jim
> 
> At 02:17 PM 8/24/98 -0700, you wrote:
> >As Popeye used to say "I can't stands no more".
> >
> >The black-tape-to-guard-the-Leica treatment has to be one of the more
> >asinine suggestions I have encountered on the LUG.
> >If a thief wants to steal a camera he won't give a damn if it is a Leica, a
> >Yashica or a Shakahachi.
> >In New York City the thief does not use a loupe to ascertain that the ring
> >is gold before cutting off your finger to get it.
> >
> >To think that black tape will discourage a thief is indeed naive.
> >To think that black tape makes the camera less conspicuous is lulling
> >oneself into false security.
> >
> >An individual in a foreign country is very obvious for the way one dresses,
> >the way one walks, and the way one looks at everything and everybody.
> >Americans are especially conspicuous because they can't keep their mouth
> >shut.
> >
> >Just be alert, do not flaunt your possessions (or nationality) and enjoy the
> >trip.
> >
> >Joseph Codispoti